Interim Pocono Mountain police chief chosen over objection

The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department has an interim chief after a contentious meeting Tuesday night where one police commissioner accused others of privately conducting public business.

Lt. Chris Wagner will assume the interim position until the commission selects a new chief to replace Harry Lewis, who retires Aug. 8.

Lewis has said he's entering the private sector.

Commissioners conducted three internal interviews, and several said Tuesday it was a difficult choice.

But Coolbaugh Township representative Bill Weimer, who took Coolbaugh Chairwoman Lynn Kelly's seat on the commission about a month ago, voted against the selection.

Coolbaugh is researching options outside the regional department for police services, a move that Lewis has said damages morale and makes budget planning difficult.

Weimer congratulated Wagner and said his vote was nothing personal, but that the interim chief discussion and decision likely took place outside an official meeting.

Weimer said commission Chairman Jim Frutchey, a Coolbaugh representative, Tobyhanna Township representatives Dave Moyer and Don Moyer (no relation), and Tunkhannock Township representatives Fran DePiano and Brandon Igdalsky went out for dinner at Don Moyer's restaurant, Moyer's Country Kitchen, after the last meeting and may have discussed commission business.

"I cannot confirm what was discussed at the meeting, nor do I care at this point," Weimer said. "But I can imagine that it was already decided that a certain person will be put in place as interim chief and no discussion or compromise will change that."

Weimer also alleged Phyllis Haase talked to several other representatives before the last meeting and rescinded her earlier vote to begin a search outside the department for a chief.

The commission then voted to look internally.

Weimer also claimed another meeting took place recently at the airport involving Lewis, Frutchey and Dave Moyer.

"I understand there is business to conduct between meetings, but I know I am not informed via email on what was discussed or what is going on. Not sure about anyone else," he said.

"Remember, we represent the municipalities' best interest, not our own personal interest or gain."

Weimer said he appreciates what the police do and the work to get accredited once again, an intensive process that was just completed.

The department has been accredited for another three years.

"Coolbaugh Township does not have an issue with the police officers and the job they do," he said.

"We have an issue with the commission and its inability to compromise with the largest paycheck," referring to the 42 percent share that Coolbaugh pays toward the department's budget.

After the meeting, DePiano said four of the five commissioners Weimer named went out for dinner after a recent meeting.

But he said spouses and family came along, as well, and it is a regular social event, as many of the representatives do not have time for dinner ahead of meetings.

Haase said that she goes along sometimes to dinner after meetings.

"Well I don't think anybody prohibits members of the commission to have dinner together," she said.

"We made it perfectly clear we would not discuss anything that went on, and we didn't," DePiano added.

Mount Pocono Mayor Fred Courtright said public officials should seek to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Weimer said Wednesday that he had to work, and the other commission members knew in advance he would not be able to attend the interviews, but he knows the candidates from years working with them as part of his service with the fire department.

"Their decision was already made prior to them going to the interview," he said.

Wagner said that he started at the department in 1994 and has been a lieutenant since 2009.

He said he will be learning the ropes over the coming days and is excited for the new role and to seek resolution to the issues concerning Coolbaugh.

He was also in charge of the accreditation process, which he said kept him up late nights over recent weeks and months. He is proud to have come through successfully.